In a shocking turn of events, online retailer eBay has agreed to pay a hefty $3 million fine to settle criminal charges related to a harassment campaign carried out by its own employees. The employees, who were previously prosecuted for their actions, engaged in a disturbing scheme aimed at intimidating a Massachusetts couple, David and Ina Steiner, who ran an online newsletter called EcommerceBytes that had upset eBay executives.

The harassment campaign, which began in 2019, involved sending live spiders, cockroaches, and other unsettling items to the Steiners' home. In addition to these disturbing deliveries, the couple also had a funeral wreath, a bloody pig mask, and a book about surviving the loss of a spouse show up at their door. To make matters worse, their home address was posted online, inviting strangers to yard sales and parties. The relentless harassment took a toll on the Steiners, disrupting their lives and leaving them feeling unsafe.

The Department of Justice charged eBay with stalking, witness tampering, and obstruction of justice, shedding light on the extent of the company's criminal conduct. The charges came more than three years after the employees involved were prosecuted for their actions. As part of a deferred prosecution agreement, eBay could have the charges against them dismissed if they comply with certain conditions.

The disturbing campaign was initiated shortly after Mrs. Steiner wrote a story about a lawsuit between eBay and Amazon. In a shocking revelation, it was discovered that eBay's then CEO, Devin Wenig, sent a message to another top executive stating, "If you are ever going to take her down... now is the time." This message was then forwarded to James Baugh, eBay's senior director of safety and security, who referred to Mrs. Steiner as a "biased troll who needs to get BURNED DOWN." Baugh, along with six other former employees, ultimately pleaded guilty to charges related to the harassment campaign. Baugh was sentenced to nearly five years in prison, while another executive, David Harville, received a two-year sentence.

Notably, Wenig, who stepped down as CEO in 2019, was not criminally charged in the case and denies any knowledge of the harassment campaign or instructing anyone to engage in illegal activities. In the civil case, his lawyers argue that his "take her down" quote was taken out of context, suggesting that he was referring to "lawful action" rather than criminal acts. Baugh's lawyers claim that their client was under immense pressure from Wenig and other executives to take action against the Steiners.

The extent of the harassment campaign is truly disturbing. Baugh, described as the mastermind behind the scheme, even recruited Harville to travel to Boston with him to spy on the Steiners. The plan was to install a GPS tracker on their car, but when they found the garage locked, Harville purchased tools with the intention of breaking in. However, Harville's lawyers maintain that he had no involvement or knowledge of the threatening messages or deliveries sent by his colleagues.

The Steiners' lives were turned upside down by this relentless campaign of harassment. Ina Steiner received not only threatening Twitter messages but also dozens of strange emails from various groups, including an irritable bowel syndrome patient support group and the Communist Party of the United States. The disturbing deliveries, including live spiders, cockroaches, and unsettling items like the funeral wreath and bloody pig mask, added to their distress.

EBay's agreement to pay the $3 million fine reflects the severity of the company's actions. Acting Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Josh Levy condemned eBay's conduct, stating that the employees and contractors involved in the campaign put the victims through "pure hell" with the intention of silencing their reporting and protecting the eBay brand.

In addition to the criminal charges, the Steiners have also filed a federal lawsuit against eBay, seeking justice for the cyberstalking and upsetting deliveries that disrupted their lives. The lawsuit highlights the emotional and psychological toll the harassment campaign had on the couple.

This disturbing case serves as a reminder of the potential dangers of online harassment and the need for companies to prioritize the safety and well-being of their customers. The resolution of the criminal charges against eBay is a step towards justice for the Steiners, but the impact of this traumatic experience will likely linger for years to come.